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Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath were full of praise for a team of rescue divers from Udon Thani who found a Thai woman's much treasured diamond that fell into a pond in NE Thailand. Khwanthip Kiatnongyung, 45, who has a foreign husband, called in Sawang Metha Ban Dung rescue after a necklace snapped while she was hauling a buffalo rope at their house in Ban Khor Khiaw. She managed to grab hold of the necklace itself but a diamond accessory plunged into the murky depths apparently never to be seen again. Khwanthip was distraught - it was a family heirloom much prized by her and her "farang" husband and worth 140,000 baht. It was one carat in weight. Picture: Thai Rath The rescue team arrived at 11 am and were just going to give up when one member found it at 4 pm and returned it to the owners. No reward was mentioned in the story though the media made much of the Thai proverb that translates as diving for a needle in the ocean. The equivalent of looking for a needle in a haystack, the English version. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Cannabis, not COVID-19, to feature at upcoming censure Multiple governments have legalized the planting and sale of cannabis for recreational use, but such action requires good preparation including mandated and widespread warnings. (Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP) Two months ago, the coronavirus would have still been a “sexy” topic at the no-confidence debate. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263814-cannabis-not-covid-19-to-feature-at-upcoming-censure/

Multiple governments have legalized the planting and sale of cannabis for recreational use, but such action requires good preparation including mandated and widespread warnings. (Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP) Two months ago, the coronavirus would have still been a “sexy” topic at the no-confidence debate. But the relevant numbers are going down, and economic suffering has been too related to the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine to be effective ammunition in Parliament. This leaves the cannabis “legalization.” The opposition’s censure motion was written in a conventionally vague way. By that, any issue of the hour, even if it was virtually non-existent when the motion was drafted, can steal the limelight. Cannabis “legalization” fits the bill as there is no hotter topic to date. Proclaimed “benefits” of cannabis “legalization” would take time, while alarming news reports, hearsay, and rumors have been numerous and continuous already. As importantly, the issue will allow the Pheu Thai-led opposition to softening up Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party who has seemed to climb up the list of the biggest opposition party’s enemies lately. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cannabis-not-covid-19-to-feature-at-upcoming-censure/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Whiff of scandal at the "Big Match" - singer buys up 400M baht of tix for Man U/Liverpool to sell cheap Picture: Sanook Sanook suggested there was a whiff of scandal in the air last night as musical artist Pimrypie's fame went one better, or worse. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263813-whiff-of-scandal-at-the-big-match-singer-buys-up-400m-baht-of-tix-for-man-uliverpool-to-sell-cheap/

Picture: Sanook Sanook suggested there was a whiff of scandal in the air last night as musical artist Pimrypie's fame went one better, or worse. The hashtag #Pimrypie (in Thai) was number one on Thai Twitter from yesterday evening after she went on Facebook live to say she had managed to buy up nearly 400 M baht's worth of tickets for the upcoming Manchester United vs Liverpool friendly match. The two giants of the English Premier league are meeting for the first time in Thailand at the Rajamangala National Stadium on July 12th. The tickets sold out quickly and were supposed to be limited to four a person. How Pimrypie got 25,000 with her name on at 20,000 baht and 15,000 baht remains a mystery. Also appearing on the big day is South Korean star Jackson Wang in a one hour slot. Pimrypie said on Facebook that she would give away 200 free tickets for practice sessions of the South Korean and the two teams on July 11th. People could see them close up. There would also be a lottery for a chance to have a meal with Jackson and the players. She said she was selling the 20K tickets for the main day for just 15K and the 15K ones for 11K. 2,000 tickets were available for the practice sessions at an unspecified price. Angry Twitter users flooded the platform wondering how Pimrypie had got so many tickets when the Thai Ticket Major site limited the sale. No wonder the site sold out so quickly, they said. Sanook just said that they would have to wait for explanations from the organizers. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday June 24 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263810-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-june-24-2022/

Listen to the news: The owner of the Daruma Sushi Japanese restaurant franchise was denied bail yesterday, as police believe he may try to flee the country. 39 year old Meta Chaling-suk, denied charges of fraud, he is being held at Bangkok Remand Prison. A 26-year-old man stabbed his wife to death in a school classroom in Surin eastern Thailand yesterday, he then jumped out of the window to escape and broke both his legs. The two had separated, both had argued in the classroom before the stabbing took place. It’s believed the man Mr Worapong had threatened to kill his wife a few days before the attack. Hundreds of private motorcyclists that provide Grab services campaigned outside the Ministry of Transport to seek the cancellation of a plan to end their taxi service on July 15. They called for their service to be legalized. The department plans to require bikers to have a public vehicle driving license, register their bikes as public transport and use the same fares structure as used by taxis. Thailand plans to launch it’s first satellite next year. The government-funded “THEOS-2” satellite was developed in the U.K and is being tested in Chonburi. If you're a star gazer..Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have aligned up and were visible to the naked eye in the very early hours of this morning, There’s a last chance to see them tomorrow morning between 04:30 and sunrise. They were last visible in 2004 and the next opportunity to see them will be in 2040. Region: Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi has been transferred from house arrest to prison in the capital, where she is being held in solitary confinement. 77-years-old Suu Kyi was informed of the transfer during a court hearing on Tuesday then moved the following day. There was no explanation why she had been transferred. Meanwhile: Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government asked the international community to urgently provide material - support to help end the junta’s daily atrocities and violence against the people, as the death toll in Myanmar exceeded 2,000 this week. Singapore has started importing renewable energy from Laos through Thailand and Malaysia after signing a power purchase agreement with Laos' state owned electricity company marking the first multilateral cross-border electricity trade involving four ASEAN countries. Cloudy with rain across the country Chiang Mai: Bright becoming cloudy with rain this afternoon 31C Bangkok: Bright partly cloudy some thunder showers 34C Pattaya and SE: cloudy with thunderstorms and torrential rain at times 31C Phuket and the South: Bright, cloudy with thunderstorms 28C Hua Hin: Bright becoming cloudy with isolated showers expected this afternoon, Feeling hot 32C Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thailand officially drops mask mandate in late night Royal Gazette order By Adam Judd Thailand- The Thai Government, in a late-night order released around 10:00 P.M. on June 23rd, 2022, has dropped a divisive mask mandate in all public areas. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263800-thailand-officially-drops-mask-mandate-in-late-night-royal-gazette-order/

By Adam Judd Thailand- The Thai Government, in a late-night order released around 10:00 P.M. on June 23rd, 2022, has dropped a divisive mask mandate in all public areas. The mandate previously required one to wear masks in all public places, even outdoors or alone. The wordage of the legally binding Royal Gazette order is as follows, in a summary and not a word-for-word translation: The Ministry of Public Health has moved to wear a mask or cloth mask as a voluntary practice. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/24/thailand-officially-drops-mask-mandate-in-late-night-royal-gazette-order/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

World Sports News - Friday 24 June 2022 by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263798-world-sports-news-friday-24-june-2022-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Football - Fifa has approved 26-man squads for this year's World Cup in Qatar and up to 15 substitutes can be named for a game, meaning no player misses out. Transfer News - Newcastle United have signed England goalkeeper Nick Pope from relegated Burnley for an undisclosed fee. The 30-year-old moves to St James' Park on a four-year contract after spending six seasons at Turf Moor. Golf - South Korea's In Gee Chun posted a record-equalling 64 to take the clubhouse lead on eight under at the Women's PGA Championship.The two-time major winner led by seven at the end of a round that included nine birdies. Football - Transgender and non-binary footballers in Germany will be allowed to choose if they play in men's or women's teams. The German football association (DFB) has announced the ruling for amateur and junior football, as well as futsal. Since 2018, Germans have had options of 'diverse' and 'no reference' in the gender section of ID documents. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-06-24 Chili Radio: https://chiliradiothailand.com Listen Live: https://chiliradio.asia - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Pattaya is possibly set to lift mask mandate in outdoor/open spaces within the next week, Pattaya mayor says By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Pattaya mayor Poramese Ngampiches updated on the easing of the mask mandate in outdoor/open spaces, saying almost everyone would be able to freely take off their mask possibly on July 1st, pending final Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration approval and Royal Gazette publishing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263796-pattaya-is-possibly-set-to-lift-mask-mandate-in-outdooropen-spaces-within-the-next-week-pattaya-mayor-says/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Pattaya mayor Poramese Ngampiches updated on the easing of the mask mandate in outdoor/open spaces, saying almost everyone would be able to freely take off their mask possibly on July 1st, pending final Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration approval and Royal Gazette publishing. However, the change did not apply to the 608 Group, which comprises people over 60 years old, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and those with a weight of over 90 kg as prohibited by the Thai Center for Covid-19 (CCSA), according to the mayor. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/23/pattaya-is-possibly-set-to-lift-mask-mandate-in-outdoor-open-spaces-within-the-next-week-pattaya-mayor-says/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thailand’s first satellite “THEOS-2” to be officially launched in early 2023 By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: NSTDA National – The Thai government is planning to launch the first Thai satellite into space early next year, Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek reported yesterday, June 23rd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263795-thailand’s-first-satellite-“theos-2”-to-be-officially-launched-in-early-2023/

PHOTO: NSTDA By Nop Meechukhun National – The Thai government is planning to launch the first Thai satellite into space early next year, Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek reported yesterday, June 23rd. According to the deputy spokesperson, the government-funded “THEOS-2” was developed by more than 20 Thai satellite engineers. It's currently undergoing testing of systems at the Satellite Assembly and Testing Center in Sri Racha, Chonburi, conducted by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/23/thailands-first-satellite-theos-2-to-be-officially-launched-in-early-2023/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Malaysian national, 51, arrested in Bangkok for allegedly illegally operating securities business By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – A Malaysian national, whose name was only revealed to the press as “Tae”, was arrested in Phrom Phong area of Bangkok today, June 23rd, for reportedly illegally operating a securities business. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263794-malaysian-national-51-arrested-in-bangkok-for-allegedly-illegally-operating-securities-business/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – A Malaysian national, whose name was only revealed to the press as “Tae”, was arrested in Phrom Phong area of Bangkok today, June 23rd, for reportedly illegally operating a securities business. The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) announced that the arrest was conducted following an arrest warrant issued by the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, claiming that Tae, 51, was acting as a stock trading company manager who would trick victims to believe that they were investing and opening securities accounts with a leading global investment firm. According to one of the victims, they were tricked to invest by transferring money directly to the alleged scammer and were told to receive a fixed return of 6 – 7% throughout the 6-month investment period. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/23/malaysian-national-51-arrested-in-bangkok-for-allegedly-illegally-operating-securities-business/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Ban Talad Nua School in Phuket Town pauses some onsite classes due to rising Covid -19 cases By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – A school in Phuket Town has paused some onsite classes as more confirmed cases of Covid -19 have been found. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263793-ban-talad-nua-school-in-phuket-town-pauses-some-onsite-classes-due-to-rising-covid-19-cases/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – A school in Phuket Town has paused some onsite classes as more confirmed cases of Covid -19 have been found. The Ban Talad Nua (Wankroo 2502) School in the Talad Nua sub-district, Mueang Phuket District has issued an announcement after a meeting was held June 23rd. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/06/23/ban-talad-nua-school-in-phuket-town-pauses-some-onsite-classes-due-to-rising-covid-19-cases/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Two entertainment venue operators in Phuket Town area arrested for allegedly breaking Covid-19 measures following resident complaints By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – Two entertainment venue operators were arrested for allegedly breaking Phuket orders and Covid-19 measurements after anonymous local residents complained over loud noise. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263792-two-entertainment-venue-operators-in-phuket-town-area-arrested-for-allegedly-breaking-covid-19-measures-following-resident-complaints/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – Two entertainment venue operators were arrested for allegedly breaking Phuket orders and Covid-19 measurements after anonymous local residents complained over loud noise. A team of officials inspected entertainment venues in Phuket City June 22nd. Phuket City officials reported they have arrested Mr. Sit who was presented as a manager of an unnamed entertainment venue in Phoonpon, Talad Nuea sub-district. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/06/23/two-entertainment-venue-operators-in-phuket-town-area-arrested-for-allegedly-breaking-covid-19-measures-following-resident-complaints/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Swedish IKEA to open first city store in Bangkok by Jaqueline Deeon IKEA, a Swedish home furnishing brand, is scheduled to open its first Southeast Asian urban store in Bangkok by the end of next year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263791-swedish-ikea-to-open-first-city-store-in-bangkok/

by Jaqueline Deeon IKEA, a Swedish home furnishing brand, is scheduled to open its first Southeast Asian urban store in Bangkok by the end of next year. Leonie Hoskin, retail manager of IKEA Thailand and Vietnam, said the company had rented 12,000 square metres on the third floor of the EmSphere retail complex with a 25-year lease, in order to open its first city store on Sukhumvit Road. “We chose the Sukhumvit location because it is an iconic neighbourhood widely known not only to local customers, but also foreigners,” she said. “It comprises 300,000 households within just a 5-kilometre radius, and Sukhumvit is within walking distance from the BTS and MRT. This fantastic location will bring IKEA very close and more accessible to many people. It will strengthen The EM District, a world-class business and lifestyle destination.” Full story: https://scandasia.com/swedish-ikea-to-open-first-city-store-in-bangkok/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Are Thailand’s ride-hailing drivers disappearing? OPINION | by Michael Bridge File photo The cost of living is certainly starting to bite, and it is especially hitting the ride-hailing industry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263790-are-thailand’s-ride-hailing-drivers-disappearing/

File photo OPINION | by Michael Bridge The cost of living is certainly starting to bite, and it is especially hitting the ride-hailing industry. There have been many posts in recent weeks about drivers quitting as they cannot afford the rising fuel costs. The only drivers who are coping are the owners of the few EV cars in Thailand, as they see the skyrocketing fuel prices. However, in 2020, the total accumulated number of electric vehicles in Thailand was just 186,271 units, so only a few are currently able to avoid the fuel pump price rises. Meanwhile, people who were used to paying THB26 a litre for E20 to fill up the petrol-driven vehicles are now having to fork out a massive THB44.89. Not only is this affecting the private motorists, but now it is also hitting the taxi drivers and the ride-hailing drivers like Grab as well. Taxi drivers are seeing their profits tumbling too. Some say taxi fares are still cheaper for trips that take about 30 minutes, compared to what is offered by Grab over the same duration. Besides the higher price now, many passengers are also concerned about their safety as not all Grab drivers display their details properly on the app. On some occasions particularly outside Bangkok, having a Grab ride could be cheaper than having a regular taxi ride, but on average Grab will cost you more than a regular taxi. However, in the past Grab was convenient as they came to your home or office. Why is it so hard to book Grab now? With the current crisis, more drivers are re-considering whether it is worth remaining a ride-hailing driver. On average, the number of people who request Grab cars in Bangkok has almost doubled to 600,000 bookings every day. Unfortunately, the number of available drivers has however decreased from 43,000 to just 35,000. This means that there are 8,000 fewer cars every day to meet riders' needs. The problem is Asian wide On Facebook groups set up by ride-hailing drivers in Vietnam, there have been many posts in recent weeks about drivers quitting as they cannot afford the fuel costs. There the RON95 gasoline has risen by 39 percent this year, and many customers have been complaining of a shortage of drivers and rising fares. One driver said he used to earn VND600,000 ($25.83) a day after fuel costs, but now he makes only VND400,000. Ride-hailing drivers in Hanoi have seen their income drop by a third. Customers have been complaining of a shortage of drivers and rising fares. Grab said its customers could have difficulty booking in certain locations and it is trying to increase the number of drivers. But surprisingly no company has said it would cut its commission rate. Transport associations across Asia have pleaded for cuts in gasoline taxes and suspension of the value-added tax for six months to help them survive the challenging period. Seems governments need to act soon, otherwise we will all need electric motorbikes to get around! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information